Barbie Marks Glamorous 65th Anniversary with Nostalgic Doll Twist

Barbara Millicent Roberts, better known as Barbie, celebrated her 65th birthday in March. To mark this milestone, Mattel, her creators, released a new doll that pays homage to the original. The new Barbie dons a long black-and-white ballgown with full net sleeves, cat-eye sunglasses, and a half-up, half-down hairstyle.

This “Incredibly Glamorous” Barbie echoes the classic style of the 1959 version, which sported a black-and-white swimsuit and similar white-rimmed shades. Kim Culmone, the senior vice president and head of design for dolls, confirmed that this was a modern take designed for today’s collectors.

Mattel also honored eight influential women by creating exclusive Barbie dolls in their likeness. These women include actresses Dame Helen Mirren and Viola Davis, Nicole Fujita, singers Shania Twain and Kylie Minogue, Maira Gomez, Enissa Amani, and filmmaker Lila Avilés. This initiative aims to promote global impact and goodwill.

The anniversary celebration also brought forth a special collection that showcased popular career Barbies and other fashion dolls from past releases. Mattel continued its collaboration with Inspiring Girls International as part of the Barbie Dream Gap Project.

According to the lead designer for Barbie, the anniversary release serves as a tribute to the doll’s origins. Culmone stressed that they meticulously included various easter eggs and cues for enthusiasts to discover, all tying back to the first Barbie doll ever made.

The glamorous Barbie, available in two versions, was priced at $60 upon release, with other new dolls available at varying prices. Lisa McKnight, executive vice president and chief brand officer, mentioned that Barbie’s 65th birthday celebration was intentionally aligned with International Women’s Day, reinforcing Barbie’s longstanding role as a symbol of girl empowerment.